With good intentions to follow the Drauradweg to Maribor 1000m+ climbing through hills for views. 

It was an early start at 8.10am, lovely morning and great ride to Dravagrad through lovely farm land, we are now in Slovenia. 

Following the D1 all looks good and wonderful paths through farms and forests to keep us cool until ….

The dreaded road block … tentatively we press on and see several issues with landslides on the side of the road but nothing major.  Then another landslide and several fallen tree across the road … ‘no John, not this one!’

Of course, he had to go looking but I wasn’t having any part of it!!

Back 7km to Dravagrad to the tourist office, ‘closed until further notice, sorry for the inconvenience’ we decided a coffee was in order then to decide plan B.  ‘the coffees are cheaper in Slovenia’, he says.

Plan B: on the main road, we share with trucks and cars and, where possible, a little respite on a cycle path.  No shade on the road unfortunately, but nice views of the river.  We reach Fala, feeling a little fatigued; I remember seeing a train station on Komoot in my research.  After crossing the river at the hydro electric plant and walking up a steep hill, the remnants of the once used station with no platform … ouch … all for nothing.

Back across the river and onto a road, not before meeting some other cyclists on a daily ride from The Netherlands, who said it was all downhill to Maribor.

A bit to eat which we had purchased in Dravagrad and off to Maribor on the road.  Finally after 90km feeling ‘stuffed’ a cold beer in the square.  Garmin gave up on me at 77km after complaining I was off course for hours. So I can’t tell what climbing we actually did.

John is still reminding me that we wasted 4km in Fala but 10km in energy. And the first 14km of back tracking …

A shower and 20min on the bed, feeling energised and off for a 1.4km walk to the centre of town. Nothing like a vibrant city to restore the soul … it’s a balmy evening, lots of bars and restaurants, beautiful old buildings, wide malls and squares. A lovely atmosphere … I don’t like big cities but this ticks a lot of boxes. I’m looking forward to a good look around tomorrow.

A great Bosnian Restaurant meal in Postna Ulica.